- Tokyo University delegation explores GIFT City campus proposal in Gandhinagar
• Scholarships, fee waivers, research funding and innovation hubs to woo Indian students
• JGU–UTokyo Conclave charts roadmap for joint degrees, dual programmes & mobility
• India–Japan to co-create cutting-edge research and innovation ecosystems
• UTokyo targets higher Indian enrolment with new short-term and long-term pathways
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, DEC 11
The University of Tokyo’s high-level delegation made a landmark visit to GIFT City on Wednesday, signalling the beginning of a transformative chapter in India–Japan academic cooperation. The visit explored the possibility of UTokyo establishing a campus in GIFT City — a move that could majorly benefit Indian students seeking world-class education, generous scholarships, research funding and future-ready innovation ecosystems.
The delegation, led by Professor (Dr.) Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice President for Global and Diversity Affairs, and Professor (Dr.) Satsuki Shioyama, Project Research Associate at GlobE, held detailed discussions with GIFT City MD and Group CEO Sanjay Kaul and his team.
Later, at the India-Japan Higher Education Conclave 2025, hosted by O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), the two institutions deepened their strategic partnership, building on JGU’s Act East mandate and its exclusive institutional collaboration with UTokyo.
India–Japan: Co-creating a Global Higher Education Powerhouse
This India Tour, themed “Future of Global Education: India and Japan as Leaders of Knowledge and Innovation”, is designed to accelerate two-way student and faculty mobility, catalyse collaborative research and strengthen internationalisation across both systems. JGU already maintains over 25+ partnerships with top Japanese universities, enabling joint research, academic exchanges and innovation-driven collaboration.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, said:
“This India Tour substantially advances JGU’s Act East mandate and places higher education at the heart of the strategic partnership between India and Japan… Our exclusive partnership with the University of Tokyo will open up new platforms for research innovation, circulation of scholars and robust academic linkages that directly support bilateral priorities in education, technology and innovation.”
He added that the historical India–Japan relationship is underpinned by diplomatic cooperation, cultural proximity and a shared commitment to shaping Asia’s future.
New Short-Term Study Abroad Pathway for Indian Students
In a significant announcement, JGU and UTokyo signed a fresh agreement to launch a Short-Term Study Abroad Programme. Under this initiative, 40 JGU students will visit UTokyo every summer for a three-week academic and cultural immersion, boosting people-to-people ties and building long-term academic bridges.
Highlighting Japan’s attractiveness for Indian students, the note emphasised that UTokyo — Asia’s No. 1 university — has some of the lowest tuition fees, with many departments offering full or partial fee-waiver schemes. The Japanese Government also extends generous scholarships to international students, while the university additionally supports applications to numerous private scholarships.
UTokyo Eyes Higher Indian Enrolment
Currently hosting just 1,600 Indian students, UTokyo aims to significantly increase this number.
Professor (Dr) Kaori Hayashi said: “I was very happy to be in India again, especially Ahmedabad… I was impressed to see JGU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. I see great potential in future collaborations between UTokyo and JGU as well as other universities in Japan and India, the two critical Asian nations that value liberal democracy.”
She reiterated that the conclave’s objective is to increase Indian enrolment and expand scholarship access.
The UTokyo delegation added: “We appreciate JGU’s commitment to expanding students’ global outlook by sending them to Japan… We are confident that the friendships formed among our students will contribute to an even stronger relationship between the two countries in the future.”
Joint Research, Innovation Hubs & Future-Ready Programmes on the Horizon
Across the India Tour, both universities explored next-generation educational frameworks, including:
- Two-way student and faculty mobility across disciplines
- Joint and dual degree programmes
- Short-term academic mobility schemes
- Collaborative and comparative research projects
- Co-taught courses, joint seminars and hybrid learning formats
- Potential India–Japan innovation hubs and joint research centres in emerging fields
Professor (Dr.) Satsuki Shioyama contributed insights on comparative education, South Asian studies and gender-sensitive approaches to inclusive, meaningful knowledge exchange.
Professor (Dr.) Akhil Bhardwaj, Vice Dean, Office of International Affairs & Global Initiatives, JGU, said:
“This India Tour with UTokyo will lay strong foundations for long-term collaboration… By anchoring these efforts in a spirit of mutual respect and co-design, we aim to create pathways that benefit learners and researchers in both countries.”
A Forward-Looking Roadmap for a Shared Knowledge Future
The visit is expected to culminate in a comprehensive roadmap for deepening JGU–UTokyo ties, shaping resilient and future-ready educational linkages that advance global competitiveness, scientific discovery and innovation.
With UTokyo actively considering a GIFT City campus, offering scholarships, funding for cutting-edge research, and enabling high-quality academic mobility, Japan is positioning itself as one of the most attractive higher-education destinations for Indian students.
